St James’s Chamber Orchestra
Matthew Taylor conductor
Sasha Parker soloist
Mira Marton leader
Edvard Grieg Holberg Suite
Jean Sibelius Impromptu
Jean Sibelius Suite for Violin and Strings
Dag Wirén Serenade for Strings
This beautifully crafted programme explores the rich heritage of Scandinavian composition, from Grieg’s elegant Holberg Suite, a charming homage to the Baroque era, through to Sibelius’s lyrical Impromptu and his evocative Suite for Violin and Strings, to Dag Wirén’s radiant Serenade for Strings, one of the most beloved works in the string orchestra repertoire.
The St James’s Chamber Orchestra harnesses the transformative power of music to bring hope and healing to children affected by war. In partnership with War Child and Humanity & Inclusion UK, the Orchestra dedicates 1,000 volunteer hours each season to raise funds for trauma counselling and prosthetic care for Ukrainian children.
Sasha Parker
Sasha is a nineteen-year-old violinist-conductor studying at the Royal College of Music under Lutsia and Alina Ibragimova, having previously studied at the Yehudi Menuhin School. Praised for a “distinctive musical personality” by The Strad Magazine, Sasha is a prizewinner of many international competitions, including first prize at the WMSO Young Musician’s Concerto Competition and the RCM Concerto Competiton, alongside other prizes at the Rodolfo Lipizer Competition in Gorizia, the Ilona Féher Violin Competition in Budapest and the Henri Marteau Competition in Hof.
Sasha is a featured Young Artist of both the Worshipful Company of Musicians and Talent Unlimited. Appearing internationally as a soloist, Sasha has collaborated with a variety of orchestras, including Anima Musicae, the St James Chamber Orchestra, LSG Bryanston Chamber Orchestra, the LSE Orchestra and the Farnham Sinfonia, where Sasha is also resident as Associate Conductor. Sasha is generously supported by an RCM Musician’s Company Lambert Scholarship, as well as the Albert Cooper Trust.